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Too many citizens installed distributed-generation (DG) solar under generous net-metering programs, and the company’s grid couldn’t handle all the electricity being exported to it. But they may not have to deal with the problem much longer.

The utility reported that it received 234 applications in October to participate in the utility’s Customer Self-Supply (CSS) program, which is designed for distributed PV installations that don’t export any electricity to the grid.

Under the CSS program, customers are not compensated for excess energy as they were under the old net-metering programs. HECO stopped the net-metering program a year ago, angering many in the state’s booming solar industry.

The other non-net-metering option was HECO’s Customer Grid-Supply (CGS) program, through which customers received a public-utilities-commission-approved credit for electricity sent to the grid while paying the retail rate for electricity they use from the grid.

But that program also proved too popular, hitting its own caps in August. With the CSS remaining the only option for Hawaiians who want to install solar, homeowners are now strongly on board with a program that struggled early on to receive any applications.

“Things are just getting started — solar power is still a viable option,” said Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president of customer service. “We expect more customers to install self-supply systems as they learn more about the program.”

In October, the last month for which numbers were available, nearly 100 applications had already been approved and were ready for installation, with the other 134 going through a standard technical review.

According to the company, HECO leads the nation in the adoption of solar power, with nearly 79,000 customers have been approved on Oʻahu, Maui County, and Hawaiʻi island for DG systems.

To date, 15 percent of all residential and commercial electric customers have PV systems — nearly 20 times the national average. Approximately 29 percent of all single family homes have been approved to install a PV system.

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Frank Andorka

Frank Andorka has been writing professionally for nearly 29 years and spent nearly 20 years in trade publications. He was the founding editor of Solar Power World and has covered all aspects of the solar industry from policy to panels and everything in between.

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1 comment

234 applications is nothing. They have around 400 total in a year. Yay!

“With the CSS remaining the only option for Hawaiians who want to install solar, homeowners are now strongly on board with a program that struggled early on to receive any applications.”

Yes, how lucky are we to have no choice as consumers and have a pathetic PUC who sides with HECO?

“solar power is still a viable option,” said Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president of customer service. “We expect more customers to install self-supply systems as they learn more about the program.”

Gee thanks, Jim! 2 whole CSS systems installed. So glad he think solar is “still viable”. The monopoly, HECO and the awful, PUC have taken away choice from Hawaii residents and talk out of the other side of their mouth saying we want to go 100% renewable by 2045. They cut off the main way to do it and replaced it with an option that is much more costly to the residents.

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